Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Please don't sue.
The next day at breakfast, Hermione was still distancing herself coldly from Ron. Ron still didn't look like he knew what he was going to do. Suddenly, Parvati, who was sitting two seats away dropped her silverware. Harry looked over, and saw that Parvati was completely ashen, and the note she held in her hands was trembling slightly.
"Parvati, what's wrong?" asked Lavender. Parvati didn't answer, but quickly clutched the note she had been reading to her chest.
"What did the note say?" Lavender asked.
"Nothing! The note said nothing!" Parvati said desperately, and stuffed it into her robes.
"Obviously it said something, otherwise you wouldn't be so upset," argued Seamus.
"Come on, you can tell us," pleaded Dean.
Parvati looked more panicked than Harry had ever seen her, and he loudly said, "Everyone, leave Parvati alone. If she doesn't want to tell you what the note says, that's her business." Parvati shot a trembling look of gratitude to Harry. Everyone still looked like they wanted to know what was going on, and Harry jokingly called out, "Come on, we have Defense Against the Dark Arts in 10 minutes. And I've got some people to stun." Several of the 7th years laughed, remembering Harry's play-acting as an evil wizard the year before.
"Welcome class!" Professor Delacour called as the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws sat down for class. "I have good news for everyone. I am now the longest lasting Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts in the last 23 years."
Everyone in the class cheered, and Fleur called out, "So in celebration, I think we can take it easy for the day." Everyone in the class besides Hermione cheered again.
"Ok, I've actually got a few announcements to make. First, our class is the first co-op class. We're meeting with Al Brown, an Auror with the Ministry of Magic on Monday the third week. We'll be working on little projects for him, both to help them out a little and to give you an idea of what aurors typically do."
"Also, I think we should do some brush up, so you're all prepared once we get there. I've arranged a little activity for the day, but it shouldn't require too much work. I want you to divide up into pairs."
Ron immediately looked at Hermione. Hermione ignored him and looked to Harry. Harry grew angry, shot her a glare and mouthed, "Knock it off." Hermione took in Harry's look and slowly turned back around to face Ron.
Harry got up and walked over to Neville's desk. "Ok," Fleur said, "I've sectioned off the 2nd level of the dungeon, and have put 20 dark creatures down there as well. Your job is to corral them back up here, or failing that, destroy them. And of course, this activity wouldn't be the same without the dark wizards."
At this, the class all groaned, and Harry swore he heard Ron mutter, "This is taking it easy…?" Fleur laughed and said, "I want one member from each group to come up and draw a piece of parchment from my hand. If your group gets a slip with 'Evil' written on it…" Fleur dropped off, seeing all the looks from the students, "Ok. You know what you're supposed to do. However, if you do stun anyone, you must revive them. If you're stunned, don't say who did it; just come back up to class. Well, come up and draw your lot."
Half the class walked up, and Neville came back and handed Harry the parchment. Harry was relieved – it was blank.
"Ok, you may start," Fleur called. Harry quickly looked around, in case anyone wanted to get off to a quick start. Fortunately, everyone else appeared to be worrying as well and no one appeared ready to start hexing people.
Harry carefully slipped out of the dorm with Neville closely behind. "Time for the trump card," Harry whispered.
"What?" Neville whispered back.
Harry smiled and cast "Nutusus Aegis."
"That's cheap, Harry" Neville muttered, "How are we supposed to learn caution if we can't get hit by a spell?"
"You're partly right," Harry admitted, "Tell you what – you decide. Do you want to use it or not?"
Neville looked a little torn, and finally said, "No. It's tempting, though." Harry nodded, and removed the willpower spell. He felt his senses pick up, now that he was vulnerable.
"Let's go," Harry said, and they took off for the dungeons.
As Harry and Neville entered the dungeon, they both heard Lavender's voice call, "Hi, Harry, Neville!"
Harry turned around, wand ready. "What are you doing, Harry?" Lavender asked.
Parvati must have figured out what was happening and said, "Harry, we're not the dark wizards."
Harry didn't drop his guard for a minute and called, "Then you won't have a problem with us leaving, will you?"
Lavender looked a little hurt, and said, "Ok. We'll see you later." Harry backed away, never taking his eyes off the pair.
"Wow," Neville whispered, "you can get really paranoid at times."
Harry laughed and whispered back, "Constant Vigilance." Neville simply shook his head, and the two continued to patrol the dungeon.
"What are you two doing!" called a voice, which Harry recognized as vintage Snape.
Neville slowly turned around, and muttered something.
"Longbottom, I didn't hear that! Speak up, idiot!" Snape hissed.
Harry smiled, and strode forward. "And what do we have here? Potter? I shouldn't be surprised. You both have detention."
"Riddikulus!" Harry said, and Snape immediately started singing a silly song about 329 Points.
"A bogart," Neville whispered, finally catching on.
"Yep. Finish it off, Neville." Harry said.
Neville proceeded to conjure a dark and quiet container to store the bogart in. Harry quickly forced the bogart in, and Neville closed the opening off.
"Nice job, you two!" called a voice from behind them.
Harry whipped around and was greeted by Hermione and Ron, and he absently noticed they still weren't holding hands as usual.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Ron burst into laughter and said, "He's gone paranoid. Look at his eyes."
Hermione laughed as well and said, "Moody would be proud, Harry!"
Harry still didn't drop his guard, until Ron threw his wand into the air and said, "Whoops! I dropped my wand! I hope you don't stun me!"
Hermione giggled, and said, "That's ok. I'm sure I can take both of them, what with Harry's unbreakable shield blocking them."
"Yeah," laughed Ron, "You could just hit him upside the head with a plank of wood for being such a prat!" At this, even Harry had to laugh.
"Very funny, Ron," Harry finally managed, "But how did you know we weren't the evil wizards?"
Hermione said, "Well, two reasons. First, you were capturing a bogart, which wouldn't have been what you're supposed to be doing. Second, even if you were the dark wizards, you would've cast your shield spell on yourselves. Even constant vigilance wouldn't have helped us defeat you."
Harry smiled, and said, "Well, cast Jelly Legs on me, then!"
Hermione frowned and cast the spell; Harry promptly hit the ground with ineffective legs.
"You… you don't have the shield up! Why?" Ron sputtered.
Harry smiled and said, "Neville made a good point about not being able to learn caution if you didn't feel any risk." Neville managed a weak grin, and Harry continued, "Personally, though, I wouldn't mind some accompaniment doing this. You saw how twitchy people can get when Fleur's been teaching them."
Hermione and Ron laughed, and agreed to tag along. After fixing Harry, the four made their way through the dungeons, and although they had advantage of numbers, Harry still cast nervous looks to the rest of the groups they ran into.
As the class period's end drew close, Harry grew more paranoid – surely the dark wizards would be trying their hardest now. Everyone else seemed to be under the same thoughts; under different circumstances Harry would have found the sight of all the twitchy students amusing.
"You go first, Neville," Mandy Brocklehurst said. Neville grimaced and shook his head. The entire class was standing outside the classroom, clearly afraid to turn their back on the rest of their peers and enter first.
"Why don't you go in then, Mandy," called Seamus.
"So much for Gryffindor bravery!" said Terry Boot.
Harry laughed, and said, "Fine, I'll go first." Although he had a calm exterior, he was inwardly hoping that everyone thought he had his shield up, so they wouldn't try to stun him.
Harry entered the class, and walked to his seat with the bogart enclosure. The rest of the class trickled in nervously. "Well," called Fleur, "I see that no one was stunned. So who were the dark wizards?"
No one answered her, and Fleur smiled. "What?" cried Ron. "There were no dark wizards?"
Professor Delacour smiled even wider and said, "No, there weren't. But the attitude you had down there was exactly what you need when you co-op with the aurors. Dark wizards aren't everywhere. Neither is deceit. You just need to be ready for it at all times, so you can handle it when it does come. Class dismissed." The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws all left class, shaking their heads.
"UGH! Someone needs to tell her to stop messing with our heads!" Ron complained as the trio made their way back to the commons.
Hermione laughed as she sat down by the fire, "At least you weren't paranoid like Harry was. Ooh, I really wish Colin could have been there to take a picture."
Harry grinned guiltily but said, "I notice that you two didn't catch any dark creatures. I wonder what you were doing down there before we met up with you, all alone…"
Ron replied, "You're just being paranoid, Harry!" At this, all three burst into laughter.
"Well, are you ready for Arithmancy, Harry?" Hermione called.
Harry frowned and asked, "Why? I can't imagine the first class being very difficult."
Hermione grinned. "You don't remember Professor Vector very well, do you?"
"Er, she was somewhat short, had blond hair," Harry listed, "And I seem to remember she acted rather oddly. But you're right, I really didn't pay too much attention to her. Why? Is today going to be bad?"
Hermione involuntarily giggled and whispered something into Ron's ear. Ron looked like he was trying to keep a straight face, and Harry finally asked, "Ok, what am I missing?"
Hermione covered her mouth and said, "Er, No Harry. You're right, it's the first class, and it won't be very difficult." Harry looked back and forth between the two, but couldn't get rid of the suspicion that there was some joke he wasn't let in on.
"Well, Well," cried Professor Vector as she started the class, "I see we have a new arrival today. What's your name again? Barry?"
Harry looked oddly at the short blond haired professor, and finally replied, "Harry. Harry Potter."
"Oh! Harry Potter! I seem to remember hearing something about you," Vector said. Here we go again, thought Harry.
"Yes! You were that kid who defeated the banshee eight years ago," called Vector.
"What?" Harry involuntarily sputtered.
"You're… not the kid who defeated the banshee?" asked Vector, crestfallen.
"No," answered Harry, still amazed that Vector didn't know who he was.
"Oh, well," Vector said slowly, "To tell you the truth, I let you into the class because of that. Maybe you should leave."
"What!" Harry yelped, "But… But… I'm the boy-who-lived!" Harry was amazed at what he was saying. He had never referred to himself as that, and somewhat deplored the title.
"Boy…Who…Lived?" asked Vector, confused. Harry looked around, but found nobody was looking at him, although a few had small smiles on their faces, including Hermione next to him.
"The…Er…" Harry sputtered, "Uh, I defeated Voldemort 6 years ago as well."
Vector shook her head, and finally said, "So… You're not the kid who defeated the banshee." She still looked like she didn't believe a word he said.
Harry could only shake his head in disbelief. "Oh well," Vector sighed, "we can't all be heroes. Just try to keep up, ok?"
Harry's jaw hung as she started the lecture, reviewing a lot of the work the class had done the year before. Suddenly, Vector turned around and loudly said, "Harry Potter, I want only correct answers out of you, got it!"
Harry was stunned again and mutely nodded. "OK!" Vector said, stalking towards him, "What is the 5th Mersenne prime?"
Harry gulped. He had no clue, but stammered, "13?"
"INCORRECT!" roared Vector. Amazingly, many members of the class were trying to refrain from giggling. Especially Hermione.
"Let's try again. What are two counter number/spells?" hissed Vector. Harry was reminded of his first horrible year with Professor Snape.
"Er…" Harry started. Professor Vector finished her march up to his desk, and threw her arms down on the table and looked him in the eye, inches from his face.
"You don't know, do you, Mr. Potter?" Vector whispered.
"No," Harry admitted.
Suddenly, Vector let out a great bark of a laugh, and crowed, "Finally a correct answer! It only took him two tries!" The rest of the class laughed, and Vector continued by saying, "Maybe you do have some potential. Keep working, Potter, and maybe you'll defeat a Banshee, too!"
Vector left Harry alone for the rest of the lecture, but Harry's mind was still reeling from what a horrible professor Vector was. Finally, Hermione said, "Come on, Harry, class is over." Harry was still in shock, and Hermione had to link her arm through his and haul him out of the room and back up to the commons.
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Suzanne: Yeah, I actually had to wrack my brain to remember all the rules she broke. I probably missed few as well.
Penda: You're right – I love
ongoing jokes! I knew I wanted another
argument during the sorting, but I didn't want them to argue again about
McGonagall's words.
About the trumpet – I think you're the only one who wants it. To tell you the truth, it's the part of the
second story I like the least, but hey – to each their own.
Ariel: Sorry, I don't have any plans for Rita Skeeter. It's really hard to find something for her, unless you're going to make her some sort of secret agent for Dumbledore.
Kim: Oh, don't worry. You'll get your wish. The majority of the story features Lucius against Voldemort.
Garina: You know, I really didn't decide on a head boy. So I didn't write about it. If it worries you, though, I could just proclaim it to be… hmmm…. Terry Boot. Yeah, that's not bad.
Anyway, thanks all who have reviewed. If I'm not thanking you in that previous sentence… PLEASE REVIEW!!!